[Cyanide]

I ALSO JUST REALIZED I PUT THIS IN THE WRONG SECTION!!! Should have been General instead of SC2 General. >.> If the mods can move it, please do so. I'm so sorry.

As the title suggests, what are some of the movies that you have watched and really loved.
I'm sure many of the usual suspects will pop up, them being box office hits and summer blockbusters.

What I want to hear are movies that are lesser known. These are usually foreign films, animations, indie, arthouse, exploitation etc.

I was in a Studio Ghibli mood a couple weeks back and watched Princess Mononoke, The Cat Returns, The Borrower Arrietty, My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service. I have to say I really enjoyed them, and Studio Ghibli has a pretty good track record of makings films that do not suck.

Then I watched Battle Royale again for old time's sake. Haha, really enjoyed it too. Since we're kinda on this genre, special mention goes to A Clockwork Orange. I guess this is what we call exploitation films (correct me if i'm wrong).

Then there's this French film with the wonderful Audrey Tautou in it, called Priceless. And an animation called The Illusionist.

These are just some that I remember off the top of my head.

I guess in essence, I'm looking for recommendations for movies. =P Just not the usual hollywood fare. But if you've seen a really good one, recommend it anyway (better if it's old), I'm sure many others would benefit from watching the good old stuff like Casablanca or The Thing or Citizen Kane. =P


Think it would be better if I consolidated my list. Here are some of the lesser known (or so I think) films that I think people would enjoy, if it's your cup of tea (mini disclaimer =P).

ANIMATION (Mostly Studio Ghibli):
Kiki's Delivery Service
The Borrower Arrietty
The Illusionist
Princess Mononoke
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Mary and Max
Howl's Moving Castle
Spirited Away
The Cat Returns

FOREIGN (meaning non-english =P):
Battle Royale
Priceless
Amelie
Pan's Labyrinth
Rashomon (Akira Kurosawa)
13 Assassins

CLASSICS::
The Thing
Casablanca
Citizen Kane
Godfather Trilogy

TARANTINO:
Pulp Fiction
Reservoir Dogs
Inglorious Basterds

KUBRICK:
Full Metal Jacket
A Clockwork Orange
Few other films by him which I have yet to watch/read like
Lolita
Spartacus
Dr. Strangelove

OTHERS (Too lazy to categorize at this point ):
Lost In Translation
Ghost Town
Juno
An Education
Shaun of the Dead
Dead Poets Society
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Stranger than Fiction
Mean Girls (Yeap, I liked it)
Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Kick-Ass
The Prestige
The Professional (Leon)
Dirty Pretty Things

Quick Comments

nirvAnA:

[Maynarde]

Studio Ghibli stuff, forgot how great those anime's were. Howl's Moving Castle ftw.

Also, if anyone hasn't seen Fight Club yet ... Go f*cking see it lol. It's one of the greatest movies of all time. You should also see:

1. Pulp Fiction
2. Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels
3. Snatch
4. Super Troopers (so much lol)
5. Hot Fuzz

... Apparently I like films with hilarious one liners. But yeah, I vouch for all of them, they're some of my favourites.

Quick Comments

	nirvAnA:	excellent list!
	Rythos:	You totall stole half the ones I was going to post! Broken Lizard ftw.

[nirvAnA]

Will update this post as I think of more!

action
pulp fiction (the greatest action movie made, like the whole show is made up of memorable scenes one after the other)
the usual suspects (we even have a Singporean zerg named after the main character 15 years after the movie lol)
the 5th element (I really liked this sci fi)
goodfellas (dont really like gangsta shows but this was so win. loved the pistol whipping scene lol)

thinking / dialogue
thank you for smoking (epic lesson in reframing)
good will hunting (epic dialogue)
memento (this is the show that brought chris nolan from broke indie flimaker to blockbuster 200 millon dollar budget stardom)
gattaca (human spirit at its best)

comedy / romantic comedies
say anything - A young and epic john cusack at his best
love me if you dare (forgot the french name stars audrey too)
cant hardly wait (classic high school movie when JLH was in!)
before sunrise (loved the chemistry / dialogue)

[pikk0n]

Bollywood movies!!! They go on forever!

Answering your question seriously, nope.... I am really clueless on this. Animations aren't that interesting unless you follow the series.

[cRSenSei]

If you are into horror movies (not the shit kind) then "A Serbian Film" is a must-watch. Most disturbing movie I have EVER seen. Freaks your mind out for ages. Have a look.

[Primex]

Originally Posted by nirvAnA

Will update this post as I think of more!

action
pulp fiction (the greatest action movie made, like the whole show is made up of memorable scenes one after the other)
the usual suspects (we even have a Singporean zerg named after the main character 15 years after the movie lol)
the 5th element (I really liked this sci fi)
goodfellas (dont really like gangsta shows but this was so win. loved the pistol whipping scene lol)

thinking / dialogue
thank you for smoking (epic lesson in reframing)
good will hunting (epic dialogue)
memento (this is the show that brought chris nolan from broke indie flimaker to blockbuster 200 millon dollar budget stardom)
gattaca (human spirit at its best)

comedy / romantic comedies
say anything - A young and epic john cusack at his best
love me if you dare (forgot the french name stars audrey too)
cant hardly wait (classic high school movie when JLH was in!)
before sunrise (loved the chemistry / dialogue)

Good Will Hunting is such an excellent film, I recommend anyone who has not seen it to defiantly go and watch it.

[Cyanide]

@Nirvana,
Excellent stuff.
I really liked The 5th Element too, especially the opera scene (space opera in a space opera film, lulz).
Pulp Fiction is probably up there in my list, loved it because of the break from conventional narrative styles.
My favourite scene, in words!

You Tube

You Tube

And Gattaca is one of my favorite sci-fi films too.

I'll probably go search for Love Me If You Dare, French actress is Marion Cottilard, who starred in as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose (it's good, but pretty long film).
Before Sunrise as well, I believe it's sequel, Before Sunset also scored pretty well in ratings.

@Maynarde,
Thanks man, I wonder why I never got round to watching Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels. Lol. Never heard of the others though, will get round to it as well. Excellent. =P

[DtorR]

Should mention the Spaghetti Westerns:

For a few dollars more
The good, the bad and the ugly
A Fistful of dollars

Other classics:
Blues Brothers
Dune
Godfather Part 1,2,3
Stalingrad <--- Pretty good german war movie.
Guns of Navarone.
Where eagles dare.
The great escape.

[|Erasmus|]

I have seen 3 movies out of all those listed in this thread... I feel like this is too many to live up to how well I normally go at the game where people list titles of (supposedly) good movies and my getting to say I haven't seen any of them.

[cRSenSei]

Seriously... go watch A Serbian Film.. your life is meaningless unless you have watched it once.

[Maynarde]

Originally Posted by sAint

Seriously... go watch A Serbian Film.. your life is meaningless unless you have watched it once.

Isn't that the movie where a lady gives birth and the baby gets ravaged T_T ... very very messed up movie.

[cRSenSei]

Originally Posted by Maynarde

Isn't that the movie where a lady gives birth and the baby gets ravaged T_T ... very very messed up movie.

yes that's the one

[Uglymutt]

I second "Spirited Away", I freaking love this movie it makes me so emotional every time.
"Howl's Moving Castle" is another good anime movie.

Metropolis is a very good but very old (1927 B&W) sci-fi movie.

"Let the Right One In" is a good swedish horror film, it was remade into the American version "Let Me In".

I know you didn't want Hollywood films but I have to recommend "Shutter Island" a very well constructed movie that creates such a fantastic and eerie atmosphere.

Also if you like sci-fi and weird movies then i can wholeheartedly recommend "A Scanner Darkly" really cool art style (the scenes were recorded with live actors then animated over) and really explores drug use and its affects on people.

"Trainspotting" is another good movie (a lot of drugs in this one as well), great acting and a good story line.

[Makra]

I have to second Let the Right One In and Let Me In, both amazing movies, though I prefer the American version. Chloe Grace Moretz is just outstanding in that role If you like thriller/horror movies at all, go watch at least one of these right now!

Anyway, here's my recommendations:

Spanish Language movies
- 'Sin Nombre' is a great Mexican film that came out recently, following a member of a vicious and brutal gang who crosses paths with an immigrant family headed to the US. Well researched, its a fascinating and eye opening look into today's Mexico and the trials that immigrants heading to the US go through.

- 'REC' is the Spanish original of the Hollywood movie Quarantine. Shot on a handycam, its kind of like an indoors version of the Blair Witch Project, except this is actually good :P

- All of Pedro Almodovar's films. He's the king of Spanish cinema.

Tony Gatlif movies:

Gatlif is a French director but his films are often set in other parts of Europe.
- 'Vengo' is a great movie set in Southern Spain, surrounding two feuding gypsy families. A big part of the movie is showcasing Flamenco music (Moorish as well).
- Gadjo Dilo, Exils(Exiles) and Swing are other good movies of his.

Asian movies:
'Infernal Affairs' - The Hong Kong film that Scorcese's 'The Departed' is based off, this is easily as good as the remake, if not better IMO.

'Ninja Assassin' - A kick arse, stylish as hell, no holds barred ninja movie, this is an amazing action movie. Don't expect much of a plot, the appeal is in the visuals, special FX and fighting scenes. Starring the one and only Rain.

'Oldboy' - I'm guessing most of you have seen this. If not, go and see it now. A violent story of revenge, set in Korea, it has a great plot and even better twist!

'Kung Fu Hustle' - A fun martial arts comedy

'Bangkok Dangerous' - The original Thai version, not the American remake with Nicholas Cage.

Brazilian Movies:

City of God - The quintessential Brazilian movie, you can't go past this. Based on a true story, it's set in one of Rio's favelas (hill slums), and tells an epic story spanning decades as young kids grow up to be men in the violent slums (where 16 year old kids carry AK-47s).

City of Men - follows the story of two young guys caught up in a favela mutiny, its in the same vein as City of God, so definitely worth a watch.

Elite Squad - Again, focuses on Brazil's favelas. This movie follows an elite squad (yep, fail title) of Rio's police force who are called in whenever there's trouble in a favela. I caught this on TV one night by accident, turns out its quite popular in Brazil but hard to get hold of here in Australia.

Other movies:
'The Kite Runner'
'Antichrist' - if you like 'A Serbian Film', this might interest you. This shit is fucked up big time.
The Girl with the Dragon tattoo trilogy
'The Shining' - classic horror movie
Brian De Palma's 'Scarface' - One of the greatest movies ever made
'Catfish'
'Orgazmo' - Does anyone know this exists? Made by the South Park guys, this is a porno-comedy with their unique brand of twisted humour.
'Scott Pilgrim vs The World' and 'Kick-Ass', already mentioned but they're two movies that go under the radar a lot but are pure awesome.

Big kudos to all the other recommendations here, so many movies worth watching. Maynarde - Lock Stock and Snatch are the most epicly awesome movies EVAR!

Quick Comments

	Cyanide:	Great stuff. Totally forgotten about Hong Kong movies.
	nirvAnA:	nice list! :)

[|Erasmus|]

Originally Posted by Makra

'Orgazmo' - Does anyone know this exists? Made by the South Park guys, this is a porno-comedy with their unique brand of twisted humour.

Haha... I've watched this one. My friends bought me a copy for my birthday as a joke since we often get together and watch some really terrible movies.

On that note, more things that are terrible, but absolutely hilarious to watch with a group (especially if drinking is involved):
- The Room
- Hercules Returns

[Makra]

Originally Posted by |Erasmus|

Haha... I've watched this one. My friends bought me a copy for my birthday as a joke since we often get together and watch some really terrible movies.

Hahah yeah it's pretty bad. So bad that it's good

Also, just found this. It's the next movie after Oldboy in the vengeance trilogy. Whole movie free to watch on youtube in HD Haven't seen it myself but it has good reviews and if its anything like Oldboy it should be awesome.

You Tube

You Tube

The really interesting thing about this movie, which I've never heard of being implemented before, is that it starts off in vibrant colours, and slowly fades to black and white by the end of the movie.

Quick Comments

nirvAnA:

wow free legal movies ftw!!